Forgotten Fiberglass: 1988 Reliant Scimitar SS1 Turbo

The Reliant Scimitar name was used for British built sports cars starting way back in 1964...and it continued in some fashion through 1990..but the true story is twisted like a Victorian novel.  It started with a coupe that used the Reliant Sabre platform with Daimler SP250ish styling and then morphed into a shooting brake that continued the tradition of using a fiberglass body on a steel chassis with Ford V6 power and some parts bin interior...but by 1988 I haven't the foggiest idea of what this thing was made from...so I'll leave it up to you guys to figure out what we're looking at here: Find this 1988 Reliant Scimitar SS1 Turbo offered for $14,500 in Las Cruces, NM via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Strange Estate: 1969 Reliant Scimitar GTE

Everyone associates the Reliant marque with the suicide machine that has three wheels and a penchant for presenting belly, but Reliant (which somehow missed being lumped into the titanic train wreck known as British Leyland (Austin, Land Rover, Leyland, MG, Jaguar, Mini, Morris, Rover, & Triumph)) built cars that could be driven around a corner without tipping...but expect some challenges with parts availability and general reliability. Find this 1969 Reliant Scimitar GTE here on eBay bidding for $3950 with a few hours to go, located in Yreka, CA via craigslist. Tip from ME.

No Test Drives: 1980 Reliant Robin

The Reliant Robin was introduced in 1973 to a surprised and skeptical public, but the 70 miles per gallon fuel economy and affordable asking price were enough to sway a few folks who were not put off by a lack of sway bar.  Find this 1980 Reliant Robin offered for $2,500 in Downingtown, PA via craigslist.  Tip from Steven.

Thursday Twister: 3 Wheeler

For this week's Thursday Twister, it is time to name your favorite 3-wheeled car.  Thats right, we are going off the reservation and into the woods.  

Boatsozoku Style: 1990 Reliant Rialto Robin, Amphibious

Combining things into a bi-cultural fusion is all the rage these days.  You can hardly take a drunk walk through any major downtown without stumbling into an Asian-Euro fusion restaurant featuring some ill-conceived melange of Swedish meatballs and Vietnamese soup, all served on a open pit BBQ.  Why not bring this fusion concept into the automotive world, perhaps take a British 3-wheeler and turn it into a Japanese gangster styled speed-boat...like this 1990ish Reliant Rialto Amphibious Thing offered here on eBay UK currently bidding for £495 ($749), located somewhere near the Thames in the UK.

1k: Three Wheels: 1993 Reliant Rialto Robin Van

Having a Reliant Rialto Robin emergency car service vehicle is like calling Dr Kevorkian when you have a toothache...like asking the cast of Duck Dynasty for advice on personal hygiene...like asking Michael Vick to watch your dog for a weekend...like asking Miley Cyrus to watch your kids for a weekend...like asking Bill Cosby to check in on your wife while you are out in business...like asking Jeffrey Epstein to be a high school prom chaperone...like asking Wesley Snipes to help you with your taxes....like asking Christopher Walken and Robert Wagner to be volunteer lifeguards at a summer camp...like asking Daily Turismo to help you maximize the profit on your car sale...anyway...find this 1993 Reliant Rialto Robin Van offered here on craigslist for $1250, located in Snohomish, WA.  Tip from Gianni.

1k: K For Krap: 1985 Plymouth Reliant

I know you were hoping for the USS Reliant assigned to Project Genesis in 2285, the one that would go on to re-discover Khan in the Star Trek movie with the earworm - sorry, not that one. Or at least a Robin Reliant would have been interesting, but no, they were on hiatus from 81 to 89.  Here on craiglist is just a plain old 1985 Plymouth Reliant, albeit with just 55k miles, for a measly $1250.  Tip and intro by Kaibeezy,

1k: Automotive Purgatory: 1985 Plymouth Reliant

In the second cantica of the Divine Comedy written by Italian Poet Dante Alighieri, the author describes in great detail a trip through the seven terraces of Purgatory (Purgatorio).  Mid way through the 5th Terrace the poem's hero finds himself surrounded by the souls of the covetous, folks who have sinned through embracing things in an unhealthy way.  Here, owners of Porsches, BMWs, Alfas who have neglected their families and friends, are stuck in slushbox equipped Plymouth Reliants on freeway on-ramps. The on-ramps are equipped with traffic metering systems that seem to be functioning, but nobody ever merges onto the freeway.  This is one of those rides.  Find this 1985 Plymouth Reliant in impeccable shape offered for $1,499 in Woodland Hills, CA via craigslist.

1k: 6 Seat Taxi: 1988 Dodge Aries

The Dodge Aries was a version of  the infamous Chrysler K-car platform shared with the Plymouth Reliant and sold from 1981 to 1989.  The Aries and Reliant were introduced as compact cars, but were much closer to mid-sized and were surprisingly popular when new..  Today the K-car is more likely to be the punchline of a joke than a daily driver, but a grandpa owned/driven version can be a surprisingly affordable 6 passenger vehicle.  Find this 1988 Dodge Aries, with 54k miles on the odometer, offered for $1,650 in Burlingame, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

2k: For Reals? 1988 Plymouth Reliant Wagon, Turbo 2.4 Swap

The Plymouth Reliant was called the Reliant-K because it was based on the K-car platform, K being short for ye olde English spelling of krappe.  It was poorly assembled, ugly, slow...and can only be redeemed by life as a rusted out winter beater or having a proper engine swap.  Find this 1988 Plymouth Reliant Wagon with Turbo 2.4 swap for $2,100 via craigslist.